COVID-19 Libraries, Culture and Leisure

Libraries Opening hours

Staffed library opening hours have now returned to the pre-lockdown arrangements on Monday to Saturday. Libraries will remain closed on Sundays for now and we are currently still unable to operate our usual self-service hours. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Sutton Central Library, St Nicholas Way, Sutton SM1 1EA

• Mon: 9am - 8pm
• Tue: 9am - 8pm
• Wed: 9am - 8pm
• Thu: 9am - 8pm
• Fri: 9am - 5pm
• Sat: 9am - 5pm
• Sun: Closed

Cheam Library, Church Road, Cheam, SM3 8QH

• Mon: Closed
• Tue: 9:30am - 7pm
• Wed: 9:30am - 5pm
• Thu: 9:30am - 6pm
• Fri: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sat: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sun: Closed

Circle Library, Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, SM5 1JJ

• Mon: Closed
• Tue: 9:30am - 7pm
• Wed: 9:30am - 5pm
• Thu: 9:30am - 6pm
• Fri: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sat: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sun: Closed

Library @ Sutton Life Centre, Alcorn Close, Sutton, SM3 9PX

• Mon: 9:30am - 7pm
• Tue: 9:30am - 7pm
• Wed: 9:30am - 7pm
• Thu: 9:30am - 7pm
• Fri: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sat: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sun: Closed

Library @ Phoenix Centre, Mollison Drive, Roundshaw, Wallington, SM6 9NZ

• Mon: 9:30am - 7pm
• Tue: 9:30am - 7pm
• Wed: 9:30am - 5pm
• Thu: 9:30am - 6pm
• Fri: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sat: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sun: Closed

Wallington Library, Shotfield, Wallington, SM6 0HY

• Mon: Closed
• Tue: 9:30am - 7pm
• Wed: 9:30am - 5pm
• Thu: 9:30am - 6pm
• Fri: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sat: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sun: Closed

Worcester Park Library, Stone Place, Windsor Road, Worcester Park, KT4 8ES

• Mon: Closed
• Tue: 9:30am - 7pm
• Wed: 9:30am - 5pm
• Thu: 9:30am - 6pm
• Fri: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sat: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sun: Closed

Westcroft Library, Westcroft Leisure Centre, Westcroft Road, Carshalton, SM5 2TG

• Mon: 9:30am - 7pm
• Tue: 9:30am - 7pm
• Wed: 9:30am - 7pm
• Thu: 9:30am - 7pm
• Fri: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sat: 9:30am - 5pm
• Sun: Closed

 

Changes in the library buildings

Observing social distancing and reducing contact with physical surfaces is essential in protecting our residents, our community and maintaining public health. As such, the libraries are operating under the following conditions:

• A one-way queue system is in operation with 2m social distancing.

• Following government guidelines, customers visiting our libraries are required to  wear face coverings at all times and use the hand sanitiser provided.

• Public toilets are available on request.

• Study spaces are currently available in Sutton Central Library, Cheam Library, Circle Library, Library @ Sutton Life Centre, Library @ Phoenix Centre and Wallington Library only. Study spaces are limited to 2 hours and users can only have 1 booking per day.  

• Cafes in Sutton Central Library, Wallington Library, Honeywood Museum and Whitehall Heritage House are open. The cafe at Sutton Life Centre is currently unavailable.

• Physical newspapers and magazines are no longer available. Digital access to national and International newspapers and magazines can be found here. You will need your library card number and pin.

• Some of our events, including Rhymetime, are currently taking place online. We are hoping to reintroduce some events in our library buildings soon. Follow our social media channels and/or email newsletter for further updates.

 

Changes in book borrowing

Visitors can now browse all stock in Sutton’s libraries. Please note browsing is available by advanced booking by sending an email (sutton.library@sutton.gov.uk) or calling (0208 770 4740), and customers need to use the hand sanitiser provided before browsing. In order to browse, full name and contact details will be requested for Track and Trace.

Library stock can also be borrowed in a number of convenient ways through our ‘Select & Collect’ service. Your library card number and PIN will be required; new users can register for a library card number and PIN. To have books available for you to collect from one of reopened libraries, you can: 

1. Select your book via:

   • The online catalogue

   • My Library App (Android / Apple)

   • Email sutton.library@sutton.gov.uk

   • Call 020 8770 4740

2. Receive confirmation saying your books are ready to collect.

3. Collect your books in the library within 7 days.

Books will be quarantined for 72 hours and will be handled with protective equipment (e.g. gloves). 

Pre-selected Lucky Dip book packs for preschoolers and young children are available. These are packs of six books for young children to enjoy reading. To request a lucky dip book pack please email your child's name, age and library card number to sutton.library@sutton.gov.uk

 

Changes in IT facilities in libraries

IT facilities (e.g. public computers, printers) are available for emergency and essential use only, and need to be booked in advance by sending an email to sutton.library@sutton.gov.uk or calling 0208 770 4740. Visitors will not be permitted to use IT equipment without a pre-arranged appointment time. Time slots are strictly 45 minutes only, and once elapsed the user will be required to vacate.

Printing must be processed and paid through the Princh app (Android / Apple). Photocopying requires exact change. This is to mitigate contact by removing the handling of cash.

 

Archive and Local Studies Searchroom Reopening

The Archive and Local Studies Searchroom will reopen for pre booked appointments on Thursdays only from 3 September 2020. Slots are limited to 1 hour in the morning, and 2 hours in the afternoon, between 10am-6pm, and can be booked by emailing local.studies@sutton.gov.uk or sutton.library@sutton.gov.uk or by telephoning 0208 770 4740. The searchroom will close for 30 mins between each appointment slot for cleaning and to clear away/bring up new archives. Researchers will be asked to pack away promptly 5 minutes before the end of each slot, to allow for a timely turnaround of the room. Two researchers will be permitted in each time slot. 

 

Group research will not be generally permitted at this time. Back to back slots will not be permitted at this time. Please consult the Archivist if you have requests of this type and we will address them on an individual basis.

 

Appointment times for viewing archives are:

• 10am - 11am
• 11.30am - 12.30am
• 2pm - 4pm
• 4.30pm - 6.30pm

Bookings for archive production must be made at least 48 hours in advance in order to allow sufficient quarantine time between selection and production of records.  For Thursday bookings, this will be by 10am on the preceding Tuesday. 

 

Electoral Registers will be available for consultation from 10-12am, and 2-4pm on Tuesdays only.  25 min appointments must be pre-booked, and you will be asked to provide the address and years you wish to consult, in advance.  

 

In advance of your visit you will need to tell us:

 

• If you require PC use - only one PC will be operational per session, but you are welcome to bring a laptop.  

 

• If you require use of the Microfiche/film readers. Please note, you will need to tell us which films you require in advance. These will be loaded and unloaded by Archives staff. 

 

• The archive reference number of the records you wish to see (search our catalogue at http://www.calmhosting01.com/LBSutton/Calmview/, OR a detailed description of the material you hope to see / your research subject, including subject/names/dates/ locations/format.  If you are unsure about this information, please email local.studies@sutton.gov.uk for advice, giving as much detail as possible. We will inform you in advance what we are likely to have of relevance. Please note that we require notice of all archive retrievals by 10am on the Tuesday preceding your appointment.

 

• Any supplementary local material you may need to see - OS Maps/Photos/Pamphlets. A staff member will retrieve these for you. Browsing will be limited to books only. 

When you visit:

• If you have requested to view archive material, and you have not visited us before, you will be required to provide ID (Sutton Library or CARN card, or photo ID such as driving licence/passport) and complete a new user form.  You will also be asked to complete the visitor log. A sheet for every visitor will be placed on each desk, and you will be asked to complete and leave it behind when your session ends, for collection by staff. The information we record is used for security and statistical purposes respectively. We comply with GDPR regulation in this regard and will not keep your personal details for any other purpose. 

 

• Please wash your hands with soap and water in advance of entering the searchroom, and again when you leave. We do not advise the use of anti-bacterial spray or gel when handling archives but you are welcome to wear nitrile gloves for your own protection if you prefer. Toilets with handwashing facilities are available on level 2A, close to the searchroom.

 

• Please wear a face mask if you are able. We ask all visitors to observe social distancing guidelines, but staff and visitors will be required to wear masks when the interpretation or handling of archive material requires proximity to be temporarily reduced.

 

• Photos, pamphlets and maps will be removed from drawers by staff. They will be placed in quarantine/cleaned after use. Visitors are not permitted to browse these locations. We ask that you consider any of these materials that you may require in advance and list them on your booking.

 

• Please leave all bags, coats and umbrellas on designated tables as your enter. You will not be able to have them at your desk.

 

• No pens, food or drinks are permitted in the searchroom. Pencils only. If possible we ask that you bring your own pencil at this time.
   

• Photography of archives is only permitted at the discretion of the archive staff, subject to usual regulations. You will be asked to complete a disclaimer form and may need to pay a charge for certain usage requests.

 

• Please note, print requests will be handled via the library kiosks (library card required) or by downloading the Princh app from the Apple or Google Appstore. You will need to load your payment card details into this in advance. For cash photocopying payments, we will only accept exact amounts. We cannot issue change. 

 

We are happy to address any concerns or questions you may have on an individual basis. Please email local.studies@sutton.gov.uk for any additional information or clarification. We will address opening times and slot availability on a rolling basis.

 

Heritage Houses

Whitehall Historic House in Cheam and Honeywood Museum in Carshalton, reopened their doors from the 23 July 2020. With measures in place to welcome visitors safely, and new temporary exhibitions and children’s activity packs to delight visitors old and new, the team are thrilled to invite visitors back through the doors to enjoy these two unique local heritage attractions.

To work within recommended guidelines, a pre-booking system for free visits to both sites is now in place via the Eventbrite website . Tickets are available for individuals/groups of up to 6 (recommended single household or social bubble). 

 

Please note, morning slots at both sites (10am -11am; 10-30am- 11.30am) are reserved for priority telephone bookings (those with access concerns and those without internet access.) For this service, please call 0208 770 4740

 

We also encourage individuals who have been keeping a journal of their experiences during the current times, or have thoughts relating to the difference in their lives brought about by the pandemic, to share your written pieces, photos, drawings, videos, audio recordings, etc. with The Locals: Diaries project.

 

Additional updates about Library services

Feel free to follow our social media channels and/or email newsletter for further updates on the service, and many digital experiences such as Online Rhymetimes, Online events, Digital Information Centre, new blog articles, etc.

Services will be reviewed regularly and adjusted as necessary in response to Government guidance. Any queries, please feel free to email sutton.library@sutton.gov.uk. Thank you for your patience and understanding.